Microsoft has identified a problem with running DirectX 8.1 on AMD processor-based systems. We have the fix.

Story originally covered by The Inquirer, but files found here

"Some DirectX 8.1 programs may simply stop working on AMD PCs, and Microsoft has come up with a patch to fix the problem.

The problem applies to DirectX programs running under Windows XP on AMD platforms. Intel processors are unaffected, the posting on Microsoft's support site here says.

According to the posting, "the DrawIndexedPrimitive function stops working without displaying an error or debug message". Microsoft fesses up and says the error occurs because of "a code error in the AMD-specific optimized code. This code error may lead to heap corruption," it says.

So Microsoft, not AMD, messed up, in case you were wondering. "

To fix the problem you'll have to call Microsoft… Until now.

The MS KnowledgeBase Article describes the fixed dll:

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:


Date               Time    Version         Size            File name
----------------------------------------------------------------------
06-May-2002  13:51  5.1.2600.44  1,180,672  D3d8.dll


SLCentral is proud to present both the fixed d3d8.dll

Or the whole hotfix: Q321178_WXP_SP1_x86_ENU.exe

People using a beta release of Service Pack 1 will need to just download the fixed dll file and copy it to their "\Windows\system32" folder.

People that are not running any versions of SP1 are free to install the Q321178*.exe hotfix file.

Thanks to Dan for this.

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ActiveTuning - Partner & Director Of Sales & Marketing

It fixed my problems with Motor City Online & Ghost Recon...

Now the program WILL NOT crash out, but I do experience stutters periodically. MS has contacted me about my results with the current patch, and are looking into the stutter problem. They expect to have an update for me by next week.

Stay tuned for any new info.

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MSI 875P NEO-LSR Mainboard - Intel P4C 3.0Ghz (800Mhz FSB) - 2 x OCZ PC4000 512MB DIMMs - 4 x WD800JB 80GB/8MB Cache (RAID 0+1) - SB Audigy Platinum eX - ATi Radeon 9800 Pro AIW - Sony Trinitron 19" - Windows Server 2003 Enterprise

Hi Dave, I sure hope you got permission from Mike Magee before ripping off The Inquirer. 'Cause as of this posting, you haven't credited the source.....

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paul@pleaseohpleasedontspamme.slcentral.com
A mathematician is a device for turning coffee into theorems -- P. Erdos

That would be my fault... I though that I had put the [quotes] arount that part when I sent it to Dave, but it appears that I did not. Hopefully we can get that edited.

Ya looking back as my sent email I left out the quotes... I apologize for that.

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MSI 875P NEO-LSR Mainboard - Intel P4C 3.0Ghz (800Mhz FSB) - 2 x OCZ PC4000 512MB DIMMs - 4 x WD800JB 80GB/8MB Cache (RAID 0+1) - SB Audigy Platinum eX - ATi Radeon 9800 Pro AIW - Sony Trinitron 19" - Windows Server 2003 Enterprise

I've shown this to Mike By the way for those that don't know what we're talking about...This story was originally brought together by Mike Magee from The Inquirer. You can read the original article here.

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ActiveTuning - Partner & Director Of Sales & Marketing

I have sp1 build 1073 installed. I tried to replace the d3d8.dll file in my sys32 folder with the patched one, but it keeps reverting back to the 1073 version. It says it's the newer one for about 10 seconds, then reverts itself back to the 1073 version on its own. I've tried deleting the old one first, but it never actually deletes itself. What do I do?

That is due to XP's File Protection.

Just copy the updated file to C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllcache
then copy it to C:\WINDOWS\system32\

If you dont see your dllcache folder, open Windows Explorer & goto Tools -> Folder Options -> View & Uncheck "Hide Protected Operating System Files (Recommended)"

After that you should be fine.

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MSI 875P NEO-LSR Mainboard - Intel P4C 3.0Ghz (800Mhz FSB) - 2 x OCZ PC4000 512MB DIMMs - 4 x WD800JB 80GB/8MB Cache (RAID 0+1) - SB Audigy Platinum eX - ATi Radeon 9800 Pro AIW - Sony Trinitron 19" - Windows Server 2003 Enterprise

Anyone know where I can find the french fix??? cause it says Language incompatibility

Are you trying to install the hotfix EXE or just the DLL file?? I wouldnt think that the DLL would have language depandencies...

If you are trying the hotfix, try the DLL method. If you ARE trying the dll method I dont know what to tell you. You migh try using a hex editor on it if you feel daring enough.

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MSI 875P NEO-LSR Mainboard - Intel P4C 3.0Ghz (800Mhz FSB) - 2 x OCZ PC4000 512MB DIMMs - 4 x WD800JB 80GB/8MB Cache (RAID 0+1) - SB Audigy Platinum eX - ATi Radeon 9800 Pro AIW - Sony Trinitron 19" - Windows Server 2003 Enterprise

I can't find the dllcache folder. I did what you said, but nothing. I even tried to name a folder "dllcache" in the system32 folder, but xp says that folder name already exists. So I know that it is there. Nothing I do seems to work for me. I've tried everything I can think of to find this folder, but nothing. Any other ideas?

Thanks for the replies!

Shawn

Try this:

Go to folder where the folder should be. Then on the top menu bar go to Tools > Folder Options. Click the View tab, and check the thing that says "Show hidden files and folders"

Let us know if that helps.

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ActiveTuning - Partner & Director Of Sales & Marketing

Once i was able to view the dll cach folder windows xp sp1 build 1078 kept reverting it... what i did to fix it was also replace it in these directories
windows\ServicePackFiles\i386
windows\system32
windows\system32\dllcache
windows\LastGood\system32

If this doesn't work it is also found in some cab files

Does anyone think that this fix would fix the problems I am having with my GF3Ti 500 (look in the Technical Support catagory for some more info if you dont know what I am talking about)??

I am out of the country, so I cant try it, but does anyone have any ideas?

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--Daniel--

Is this problem just with XP ? I installed directx 8.1 on my Windows ME system and none of my games worked. I had to use the System Restore to take it off, but now all the games coming out are using 8.1 and I dont know what to do.

Try downloading DirectX again from the MS website. The current downloadable version there is 8.1b.

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MSI 875P NEO-LSR Mainboard - Intel P4C 3.0Ghz (800Mhz FSB) - 2 x OCZ PC4000 512MB DIMMs - 4 x WD800JB 80GB/8MB Cache (RAID 0+1) - SB Audigy Platinum eX - ATi Radeon 9800 Pro AIW - Sony Trinitron 19" - Windows Server 2003 Enterprise